Tag Archives: Athens

Mike Elliott (aka Miles Down) has been writing and recording behind closed doors for years — delivering beautifully composed, ramshackle CD-Rs to close family and friends. Honestly, I’m convinced he may be the finest lyricist and songwriter in the whole state of Ohio (Springfield-raised and residing in Athens for years). Very few have heard of him because, well, he doesn’t give a shit.

It seems Mike makes music solely for music’s sake. Talking to him, there is no whining — no stifling anxieties over who’s not paying enough attention to him, why he’s not getting his due, why he’s not famous, etc. It gives him and his music a sense of purity, humility, and honesty.

Alas, Mike has decided to step out from behind bedroom doors and record a record proper. Regardless of the newfangled approach, I truly believe the ethos will remain the same. Here is the Kickstarter campaign he put together to fund the project. The promo video is amazing. Please support. Continue reading →

Now that they’re gracing the cover of Decibel Magazine, Skeletonwitch’s stock is sure to rise which means the days of playing venues like Ravari Room are numbered. Being the featured story in one of the best metal periodicals on store shelves is a well-deservered honor for the Athens, Ohio band that’s been laying waste to Ohio and the rest of the world since 2003.

This week, the ‘Witch released Forever Abomination, a punishing slab of devil’s spit that’s as heavy as metal comes. Chance Garnette’s demonic growls scare the living bejesus out of me – they’re the possessed sounds you pray you’ll forget about when waking up from the worst nightmare you’ve ever had. And while the band’s music can fairly fall into many different subgenres of metal (death, black, thrash), guitarists Nathan Garnette and Scott Hedrick and bassist Evan Linger definitely are at least partially influenced by ’80s European metal acts such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.

there’s water in the window frame it hasn’t been closing right
ever since the spring rain came and we gained more daylight
well just leave the window open, you know it’s just as well
and as the winter freeze is ending the whole town starts to swell
old growth framed these houses
and so what was is no more
oh but just as nature’s intended
new growth is what I’m looking for

On March 29, Athens, Ohio’s Southeast Engine will release Canary on the recently relaunched Misra Records. The first freebie from the album is a song called “New Growth,” and I can’t think of a more fitting soundtrack to this warmer-than-usual February week. I even saw a sprig yesterday.

Canary tells the story of a family living in a small Appalachian town in southeast Ohio (might as well call it Athens, right?) during the Great Depression, and it just may be the band’s tightest, best album yet. The brothers Remnant have never sounded so in sync on these rugged songs filled with ragged hope.

Adam Remnant and company never disappoint. New album, Canary, out late Feb/early March on Misra Records (now run by SEE’s drummer, Leo DeLuca). Before that, be on the lookout for a Misra comp titled Misra Records Presents: An Artist-Curated Misra Legacy Compilation.

Paszke’s letter asks the residents to cease using their house for what he calls a commercial venue. “It has come to our attention that your residence is being used on a near weekly basis for touring musical groups,” Paszke wrote, adding that this violates the city code’s residential zone permitted uses. He continues that the activity is “clearly in violation of many national fire codes” as well as the city’s business regulations codes.

“Any further operation of these venues located at this site will warrant an immediate response from our department as well as the Athens Police and Fire departments,” Paszke wrote. “Your landlord has been notified as well, whom we have requested to assist us in prohibiting these events.” Paszke said he had the landlord’s support in each of the houses.

The main venue being targeted is Brown Town. Judging from the comments in this article, it seems like Brown Town is an actual positive force in their neighborhood – no drugs, booze, respectful, and even neighboring families with children go to the shows. The same can’t be say for the frat houses in the area…

The Action Committee and Grundale Records are pleased to announce the Athens Experimental Music Festival, taking place May 15th and 16th, 2009. This festival is an eclectic mix of noise, metal, electronica and hardcore based in Athens, Ohio, one hour southeast of Columbus. The Athens Experimental Music Festival is donation-based, non-profit and will hopefully establish Athens as an up-and-coming hotbed for experimental music.